Princeton Library Plans For Opening
Celebration

Candace Braun

With
the expected April 1 opening of the new Princeton Public Library,
a grand-opening ribbon cutting and community party is being planned
for Saturday, May 15. A cocktail reception for contributors and
supporters is also being planned for Friday, May 14. The celebration
is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday with a ribbon cutting
and dedication ceremony, that will introduce a series of activities
for the public both inside and outside the library, including
roaming book characters, musical entertainment, jugglers, and
clowns. In addition, guided tours, author talks, technology demonstrations,
artist and architect presentations, and activities for children
and teens are being planned. The festivities are expected to end
at 5:15 p.m. with a family dance party outside the library.

An
estimated 2,000 people are expected to attend, and the Princeton
Chamber of Commerce has agreed to participate in the event, said
Library Director Leslie Burger in a letter to the Borough Council.
The letter requested that Witherspoon Street between Wiggins and
Hulfish Streets be closed during the celebration to accommodate
the crowd. However, to keep traffic congestion at a minimum along
the road, the Council instead agreed to close the metered Griggs
lot across from the library and pitch an outdoor tent in the lot,
as well as offer parking for participants at the new Borough garage,
which is also expected to be complete by the beginning of April.

The library is currently sorting through old books and
purchasing new ones for their new location after the move from
their temporary spot at the Princeton Shopping Center. Library
staff recently began an initiative to raise $200,000 for their
Opening Day Collection, in hopes they will be able to purchase
new reference materials, library book club selections, best-sellers,
audiobooks, and others.